How do you balance your religious beliefs but stay true to the story you need to write?

6/6/2012

This is an issue I have struggled with for quite some time, but it's becoming more of an issue for me the closer I get to releasing my next book DESERT RICE.

I'm not a religious fanatic, but I do have a moral compass and "rules" for myself that I try my best to live by. But here's the thing...I belong to a religious affiliation who have even more rules that I should be living by, and the kinds of stories I find myself writing tend to break a lot of those rules. I'm a good person, but my characters make a lot of mistakes--some pretty big ones. These are the stories that come to me, the voices that whisper in my ear. Personally, I think I would be HORRIBLE at writing religious fiction type books, so knowing that, I don't even try.

So why does any of this matter? I guess because I worry someone might mistake my stories as my own personal belief system. What I write about rarely matches up to what I believe to be true. Do I believe kids should be having sex at fifteen-years-old? Heck no. Do I believe it's okay for kids to drink? Never. The list goes on.

Desert Rice deals with some pretty tough topics. I don't go into details, but there is enough there for a reader to paint their own sordid picture. This is a book that I know might offend several people of my church. I guess, even after all this time, I still worry about what people think of me. Sad, I know.

So then why write the stories I do? Why write about zombies or child abuse? Why not just stick to my moral compass and do the right thing? Because rarely do I pick the story or its characters--they come to me. That sounds crazy, but it's true. So I write what I write, and I will let the chips fall where they may. I don't think what I write about pushes any major envelopes--there are MANY books out there with topics and word choices I would NEVER do--but to be a member of a religion that preaches building up the kingdom God, I'm pretty sure my books aren't doing any of that.

Take Stephanie Meyer for instance (I know, I know. We really don't want to talk about her, right?) but her fourth book got some members of her religious group in an uproar. They didn't agree with what she wrote. They attacked her and questioned her standing in her church. Besides her writing not being up to par, she didn't write anything completely offensive or downright evil, but she suffered some backlash for it, regardless.

So how can I be who I am, believe what I do, but write books that contradict some of those beliefs? Am I a hypocrite? Maybe. I don't know. There are certain lines I have drawn, certain "things" and word choices I would never use, but I have made some "creative choices" (for lack of a better term) that some in my religious community would say is wrong--I should be sticking to my standards, so they would say.

What do I do? How do I walk that fine line? How do I explain myself...or not?

What do you think? How do you balance it? Do you draw lines in the sand or do you write the story that needs to be written...no matter what? I'd love to know.

24 Comments

Yesenia Vargas link

6/6/2012 04:09:25 pm

Powerful post, Angela!

You basically summed up how I feel about this topic. I tried to do the whole religious fiction thing, but it wasn't me. There are other kinds of stories that come to me instead. I don't have the answers either as far as what's right and wrong. But for now, I'm just staying true to myself.

I think that even stories that deal with tough topics don't have to be bad. It's about the overall message. People should know the difference between being realistic and glorifying things like teen drinking.

I think writing the story you want to write is more important.

Moslimah

6/6/2012 06:52:47 pm

I completely understand where you're coming from. I am going through that with the book I'm currently writing. For my own peace of mind, I did ask a scholar if my religion allowed me to write about such and such as it opposed my Islamic views. I did get a response which I was satisfied with and that was to try my best to make the majority of the messages in my story positive! And here I am, still on with that story :)

jenn link

6/6/2012 10:02:44 pm

I think you become a hypocrite when you stop being true to yourself and the story you have to tell to keep others (who may have forgetten the faith based AND secular warnings against judging others) happy. It would be one thing if you were marketing your writing as faith based fiction, but you don't. It would be far worse, in my opinion, to try to force yourself to write a story that comports with your faith when you don't have the inspiration to support it. Writing is HARD. Writing without that inspiration is practically impossible to do with any level of success or completion. Bottom line, don't be so hard on yourself. ;)

E.B. Black link

6/6/2012 10:57:27 pm

I can't say what everyone else will do, but I, personally, will never think poorly of you regardless of what you write.

I wrote a blog post similar to this topic about how I'm scared of being judged based on my writing.

http://deathauthor.blogspot.com/2012/03/writing-for-adults-not-post-to-be-read.html

I explain, in defense of myself, how the Bible is full of unsavory stories that many religious people would find offense if a writer today had written them instead. Because those kinds of baser stories reach us in a way that other stories don't and teach us lessons that other stories can't.

I get scared people will think I'm like my MC's, too. I'm writing a romance novel about a character who cheats on her boyfriend. I would NEVER do this in real life. I'm not even tempted to, but we write about things we've seen happen or interesting types of people we've heard about. All our writing shows is what we think makes a good story, not who we are. I'm boring. If I wrote stories about people like me, they'd be boring.

Also, as much as Stephenie Meyer is hated, there are at least as much people who support her, so it will all balance out even if it does happen to you.

And remember, people don't always make this assumption. Like Stephen King. Do we assume he secretly wants to turn into the killers or monsters he writes about? No. He just has an elaborate imagination.

Amelia James link

6/6/2012 11:08:38 pm

I am no longer a religious person. I have a personal faith, and a relationship with God. I write romance and erotica under a pen name, living in fear that my mother and close-minded friends will find out. I grew up being judged and told what not to do. The religion I grew up with didn't allow me to ask questions. An open mind was discouraged.

I write the stories I need to write. I'm sure my mother will find out eventually, but maybe by then I'll be able to explain it. Or maybe I won't. My English professor at the religious college I went to believed we can find truth in every story. I don't need to explain it to anyone but me.

I don't have all the answers, but until I do, I'm going to keep asking questions, and letting my characters explore ideas forbidden to me.

Jax Garren link

6/7/2012 01:06:57 am

Like the other writers here, I feel like the most important part of writing morality is not what are the characters doing, but what are the overall messages of the story? Characters in my stories (which are adult romances) do all kinds of things I would never do because, like somebody else wrote, if they only did things I would do my books would be seriously boring. But my characters succeed through finding the good in other people, being brave, and having open minds and open hearts. These are the values I think are most important, not whether or not they have sex too quickly or drink too much.

I know this can be easier for me because my religion doesn't have injunctions against sex, alcohol, homosexuality, and a lot of other things which traditional Abrahamic religions usually consider sinful. It does stress me out sometimes, though, because my mother and her side of my family practice faiths that are more morally conservative, and I don't want my mother to feel embarrassed by the work I do. We have a close enough relationship that I can't keep my writing career from her. I'm not sure I can keep it from my family at all because we're a really tight knit clan (although Mom's managed to keep my religion a secret from her side of the family - her choice, not mine - so... we'll see!)

My first book comes out in November, the second in February and the third in May, and amidst my excitement over finally achieving a lifelong dream, I have this fear of what I write causing tension in my family. I’ve heard all the same things you said above, that language can/should be substituted, that sex should be off screen or not there, and that characters should behave in morally upright ways (I haven’t heard as much about limiting violence)... and that we should do all this and somehow still have an interesting plotline. But I don’t have my characters doing things that I find morally reprehensible, although members of my family will, and, like I mentioned above, I think my characters stand up for positive values. As much as I don’t want tension in my family, I also feel like it’s not fair to expect me to live up to somebody else’s moral standards in what I create. But what’s fair and what happens in reality aren’t always the same things.

In the end I just hope that, like Moslimah’s religious scholar, my family can focus on the positive messages I’m sending and not get upset by the sex, language, and gay secondary characters (my mom’s fine with the last one, but I’m pretty sure her sister is not). I wish people in general could find it in their hearts to not be so judgmental of each other; I think the world will be a better place when we can be a little more be and let be. Good luck to all of you dealing with this! Interesting post on a sticky issue, Angela. I’ll have to check out some of your books and see all these characters behaving badly that inspired it! ;)

Trisha Leaver link

6/7/2012 01:47:13 am

I am glad you did this post. I frequently find myself in the same gray area, and it is nice to know someone else walks that line too. Just because my characters make some questionable choices doesn't not mean that I have the morals of a pirate.

Wodke Hawkinson link

6/7/2012 05:07:40 am

This is an excellent post outlining a writing dilemma. Here is how we deal with it: we write real life as it is. It's unfortunate that life contains so much violence and elements that are unsavory. But, it is reality. We, like you, hope readers realize that our characters and their actions do not necessarily represent our personal beliefs. They are simply there to tell a story.

Kathleen link

6/7/2012 06:55:45 am

The way I see it, if something I write doesn' fit with someone's religious belief, thats ok. The stuff we write comes from the real world even if there are fantastic elements. Hemmingway said "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know."
I think that quote works well for you here. Was everything you wrote and will write truth? There will always be people who don't like your writing-who don't like what you have to say- because they don't like the way the world is and for some reason assume writers approve of what we write about. It's a sad thing.

Diana

6/7/2012 09:38:12 am

Desert Rice is a good book with heavy emotions. It's sad that you have to feel worried about something you really poured your heart into. I think some may raise their brows, some may whisper, but most will applaud your courage and your skill. Never hold back or you will be consumed by the voices in your head.

C. link

6/7/2012 09:52:04 am

Well, the thing about writing fiction is that it's not a soap box, and our characters oftentimes don't reflect our personal preferences and ideas, even our 'heroes.' We are also not our characters, nor are we personified by them, and believable stories are written with many different personalities that all have to be unique. That means, they're not all going to follow our personal ideals, whether based in Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikkhism, Islam, Hinduism, or what have you.

This is what makes writing interesting! My mother, of course, disagrees, but people who hold themselves as absolute moral standards often do disagree with art that requires so many variations of humanity.

John

6/7/2012 10:56:32 am

Excellent post, Angela. Like many other commentators, I've struggled with reconciling my religion with my writing. It's something I've always struggled with, and expect to continue to do so into the future.

That being said, I think one of the primary purposes of literature is to afford readers a view into the 6 billion unique ways of living that exist. We read to get out of our own heads and into the heads of others. One of the lovely things about reading is having a "safe" experience without sacrificing your digits, health, or soul. Reading helps people develop understanding and empathy, which, I believe, are the heart of what it means to be human.

Jennifer M Eaton link

6/7/2012 11:09:35 am

This is a tricky topic. I find myself thinking along the lines of very "un religious" topics myself. I have a few great ideas in my head, but I haven't actually written them.

I have several friends that are making decent money publishing "this type" of stuff. I haven't tried it yet. I'd thought of tithing a certain amount of my profits if I do. I don't know.

What I also thought of, which might help, is to create an alternate pen name for anything I would be "embarrassed" about.

Like you, I can't always control the type of story I get in my head. Maybe it is a way to get out all the "bad" without actually doing anything wrong?

Anna Bowling link

6/7/2012 10:25:48 pm

I'm of the opinion that apple trees can only grow apples. As a person of faith, my faith is going to come through no matter what I write. I don't think I could write "religious" fiction either, but a quote from the BBC movie "Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle" has always been a touchstone for me where faith and writing are concerned

In context, a teacher is exhorting a troubled student that she is not too far gone to find God and her own life, because "that's where we find God, in the blood and the dirt."

Great entry. Definitely picking up your books now.

Melina

6/8/2012 12:07:08 am

Judging from the 14 responses above, it seems you are doing just what God called you to do. Not just by the books you write, but by blogging honestly on the issue, and being concious of your faith during the creative process.

By being open about those struggles, you strike a chord with the rest of us who read it, thus making us mindful of it during our own process, which may not produce works which the church will quote, but will always result in an underlying admission of your faith in terms of the way your characters are structured to the core.

People sometimes make heinous mistakes, but by showing the human side of humanity (or humanity of the "undead" as it were) all of your readers will be able to reconcile their own faults and examine why they make an emotional commection to those particular characters.

More than one of us has admitted to being a person of faith but would be horrible at faith-based literature becasue it would be forced to a certain extent. I feel we are better able to serve those around us by simply respecting our own beleifs and creating works which flow freely from our souls. These are the stories which we can all find something to take away from as these are the flawed-sometimes outright screwed up souls we encounter everyday.

You are a wonderful writer, and I applaud you for your honesty.

Dana Pratola link

6/8/2012 04:16:57 am

Most of my characters make bad decisions, as I have been known to do =-) I write it like I see it. We all have struggles, temptations and flaws and sometimes we just fall flat on our faces. Along with that, I try to show the love of God, pointing out that He's not mad at us and He's not up in the heavens throwing lightning bolts at the "bad people." He knows how messed up we are and wants us to come to Him in whatever state we're in. If my characters have to wait until they're perfect to demonstrate God's love, then, like me, they're in big trouble.

Kelsey (Dominique) Ridge link

6/8/2012 12:52:07 pm

This was a very thought provoking and well-written post.
Personally, I apply the same rules to my characters and stories that I do to other people: my beliefs and values are not necessarily those of others and I have no right to subject others to my beliefs.
Taking this philosophy in hand, I find myself in a similar position as you seem to, namely I write the story that comes to me without applying my own standards to it. Do my characters sometimes do things I would not do or would not advice? Yes. Does that make all of them bad or immoral? No. Does anything my characters say or do definitively demonstrate my own personal stance or attitudes? No. Because my characters are not me, just as your characters are not you.
Thank you for sharing this post and food for thought.

Bonnie Paulson link

6/8/2012 11:19:26 pm

I've started saying that my characters aren't my religion nor are they me and leave it at that. I'm a convert to my church and I really don't care what others say. I used to, but I'm realizing that Stephenie Meyer brought more recognition to the church with her stories than before she wrote. Also, on that same note - her characters waited until after marriage - what more could she do with a contemporary romance like that? I think she did a good job with it. Lol - her vamps sparkled in the sun rather than burning to a crisp.
I write zombie too, and apocalyptic thrillers, and romances, and I gotta tell you, not one of my characters believes the same way I do. I laugh at some of the choices they make, or shake my head, but I don't judge them, just like I don't judge others in my life.
Good for you for staying true to your stories. And shame on anyone who judges you.
Love the quote from this last conference - don't judge me because my sins are different than yours.
Great post!

M.R. Tighe link

6/9/2012 04:42:12 am

I agree with most of the comments about being true to yourself, but none of your characters are you! As long as events in your story have a reason for happening and a moral to teach, you have to go where you must. Not everyone is going to be comfortable with everything you write. I'm sure some of my relatives are a little dismayed by what I write, but I always give my readers fair warning about what is suitable for teens and young adults or for more mature readers. I believe that my fiction is moral, though all that I write about is certainly not. In the end, it is the story and the message that count.

Alexa Chipman link

6/13/2012 04:02:30 am

I have the same problem—my characters do not swear or do anything overtly over the top, but I often find that a bit stifling. I mean even when writing them snogging when unmarried I know will offend a lot of people whose opinion I care about, but you know what, as you said the characters come to the writer not the other way around. I didn't sit down and go "hey how can I offend people" the characters start behaving according to their personalities and stuff happens, just like in real life. Writing books about perfect people is not only dull but how can we learn from them? Look at the Old Testament—read through the book of judges! I sometimes do when I am feeling a lot of pressure as an author to conform to all the strict religious rules. At the same time, I also get pressure from the opposite end going "why don't you have your characters swearing a lot? You're being unrealistic and aren't a real writer." To them I'd say does realism = bad language? Is it impossible to be a real person or character when choosing not to do that? I have nothing against authors like Tom Clancy—I'd defend their right to write books with swearing every other word—that is just not who I am as an author and it is something I am uncomfortable with.

So I guess what I'm saying is that there will be pressure from both sides, especially in zombie/fantasy/scifi genre fiction to have sex, violence, etc and often an equal pressure to avoid it altogether and have a perfect conflictless world that is "correct". Finding a balance between the two and most importantly staying true to our characters is about all we can do I think! That and no be judgmental of other authors who lean more toward one or the other.

BookTasty link

6/13/2012 04:05:58 am

I believe we're made as fallible beings. No one is perfect and the world is full of horrible things. To portray the world and people in a way that makes them anything their not is not righteousness its just plain dumb. Sometimes
the world sucks and people make bad decisions we need to be willing to accept that. And it's all about grace and personal conviction.

Jeremy McNabb link

6/14/2012 02:32:13 pm

The idea that we must work a perfect representation of our beliefs into our novel, or that we must start our novel with an underlying sermon or moral lesson is, in my opinion, too formulaic. And coming from a guy who outlines his novels in chunks of 1000 words, that's saying something. I think if we admit to intentionally inserting a sermon into our story, we're also admitting that we're not at a place of spiritual maturity where Christ can spring naturally from our words.

Anninyn link

7/1/2012 09:33:48 pm

It's difficult, because a lot of (stupid) people out there mistake what is written for the author. It doesn't stand up, really, if you think about it. Nabokov wrote about a Paedophile, but it didn't make him one.

I like what Stephen King says about it. All you can do is tell the truth. Write the story as it is, as a true thing. People will be offended about that, which is sad, but you aren't in control of that. If you lie, if you stop writing what your mind gives you to make others happy, you may as well pack in the whole thing.

Liz Phillips link

5/19/2016 10:48:17 am

Really good question Angela - I struggle with this too when it comes to choosing books to narrate because there are a lot of genres out there that go against my beliefs. One thing I really appreciate about my church community is that people are willing to let me ask questions and not just judge on the spot. I've been able to dialogue with people about this without getting my head chopped off. Are there lots of gray areas? yes. Are there very distinct lines you know you don't want to cross - I think so. And I honestly feel like that line will be different for every person. I think it's good for people to see that characters mess up too b/c our world is messy and it would be pointless to have a story with unrelatable characters. In my bible there are lots and lots and lots of characters that mess up and do "bad" things but are the biggest symbols of what it is to be a Christian. (i.e. David, Paul) Anyways - the struggle is real girl, ya gotta figure out those lines for yourself. Thanks for bringing this up!

How do you balance your religious beliefs but stay true to the story you need to write?

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